Claremont Women's Forum Hosts Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

In recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Claremont Women's Forum is sponsoring a back-to-back discussion with 2005 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Jane Roberts and a screening of the 2001 feature film In the Time of the Butterflies on Friday, Dec. 2 in the Bauer Forum. The discussion begins at 8 p.m., followed by the screening at 9. No registration is necessary. The event is free and open to the public, although $1 donations are requested.

Roberts is the co-founder of 34 Million Friends of the United Nations Population Fund campaign, dedicated to raising $34 million by way of one-dollar donations to support health services in low-income countries, including reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. The organization was formed when $34 million in UNFPA funding was cut in 2002. In response, Roberts together with 34 Million Friends co-founder Lois Abraham launched a letter and e-mail campaign soliciting $1 bills from everyone they knew. Their intent was to not only send a message to the government, but also help raise money for health services.

To date, more than 100,000 Americans have contributed at least $1 to the 34 Million Friends cause, raising more than $2.8 million. Funds have helped purchase items such as two-way radios for on-call doctors in Timor-Leste and motor scooters for midwives needing to reach women in remote regions. Donations also have funded ambulances and HIV/AIDS testing kits in Rwanda, and contraception kits in Mongolia.

Roberts' discussion will be followed by In the Time of the Butterflies, based on the Julia Alvarez novel and starring actress Selma Hayek. The film was inspired by the story of the Mirabel Sisters political activists whose work against the Dominican ruler Rafael Trujillo led to their assassinations in 1961. It was in honor of the Mirabel Sisters that the UN designated Nov. 25 as International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Related to special programming for this event will be a Tuesday, Nov. 29 presentation by Pitzer College alumna Michelle Jordan, on the subject of "Love Should Not Hurt Like This." That discussion, sponsored by the Pan-African Student Association, will be held at 7 p.m. in Boswell Hall, west of Bauer Center.

That same week, members of the Claremont Women's Forum will be running an informational table tent campaign, with each day recognizing women's issues around the world.

"Our primary goal is to raise awareness about the continued violence against women," says Somoh Supharukchinda '06. "And, in line with our Think Globally, Act Locally theme for the year, to remind people to take both a local and global perspective on important issues."

For more information about these events, contact Women's Forum president Karrie Aldrich, 909-607-5364.

Topics

Contact

Office of Strategic Communications & Marketing

400 N. Claremont Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711

Phone: (909) 621-8099
Email: communications@cmc.edu

Media inquiries: David Eastburn
Phone (O): (909) 607-7377
Phone (C): (808) 312-8554
Email: deastburn@cmc.edu